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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
13:16
A Whole Cell Bioreporter Approach to Assess Transport and Bioavailability of Organic Contaminants in Water Unsaturated Systems
Published on: December 24, 2014
Incorporating contaminant bioavailability into sediment quality assessment frameworks
Keith A Maruya1, Peter F Landrum, Robert M Burgess
1Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, 3535 Harbor Blvd, Suite 110, Costa Mesa, California 92626-1437, USA. keithm@sccwrp.org
Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management
|September 14, 2010
Summary
California
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Ecotoxicology
- Sediment Quality Assessment
Background:
- California's sediment quality framework uses bulk chemistry but omits contaminant bioavailability.
- This omission limits accurate exposure assessment and causality determination.
- Emerging methods can evaluate bioavailable contaminants in sediments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a bioavailability line of evidence (LOE) for sediment quality assessment.
- To integrate passive sampling devices (PSDs) and equilibrium partitioning theory.
- To improve the accuracy and scope of estuarine sediment evaluations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized equilibrium-based biomimetic extractions with passive sampling devices (PSDs).
- Applied equilibrium partitioning theory to quantify bioaccessible contaminants.
- Related bioaccessible chemicals to bioaccumulation and toxicity endpoints.
Main Results:
- Proposed a bioavailability LOE for organic contaminants using PSDs.
- Demonstrated PSDs' promise in linking bioaccessible chemicals to effects.
- Highlighted the need for further validation and research on contaminant mixtures and metal cycling.
Conclusions:
- A bioavailability LOE enhances sediment quality assessment beyond bulk chemistry.
- PSDs offer a viable method for assessing contaminant bioavailability in sediments.
- Further research is crucial for field validation and comprehensive risk assessment.
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